Here's what you need to know ahead of Friday's proof of vaccination requirement
Starting Friday proof of vaccination or a negative test result will be required in Saskatchewan for public access to businesses and events.
This will also include all provincial government ministry, crown and agency employees.
On Oct. 1, the public will have to provide proof of vaccination for indoor dining at restaurants; indoor fitness centres and gyms; nightclubs, bars, taverns and other licensed establishments; event venues such as conference centres, casinos, movie theatres, concert venues, museums and indoor facilities hosting ticketed sporting events.
Businesses requiring proof of vaccination will also require ID from anyone 18 and older. Youth aged 12 to 17 will also need to show ID unless accompanied by an adult with proof of vaccination and ID.
Youth aged 12 to 17 visiting a business without an adult who do not have photo identification will be allowed to present other forms of government issued identification, such as a birth certificate or health services card.
Proof of a negative COVID-19 test must be presented to access a designated business if proof of vaccination is not provided.
SHOWING PROOF OF VACCINATION
The province has a list of acceptable forms of proof of vaccination:
- Wallet cards received at time of immunization
- A printed copy of your MySaskHealthRecord (MSHR) vaccine certificate (with or without a QR code)
- A screenshot of your MSHR vaccine certificate (with or without a QR code) saved to your device
- An earlier version of your MSHR COVID-19 vaccine certificate
- A COVID-19 vaccine printout from Saskatchewan Health Authority Public Health
In the future, a QR code/MySaskHealthRecord vaccine certificate uploaded to SK Vax Wallet will be accepted.
QR CODES
The QR codes in the vaccine records obtained from MSHR were temporarily removed on Sept. 24 due to potential privacy concerns where some residents were receiving another individual’s health information upon scanning of the code.
This issue has been resolved and the QR codes are once again available in MSHR.
Any codes that were printed, saved or captured before Sept. 28 should be deleted or destroyed and new QR codes must be retrieved from an individuals MSHR account.
PROOF OF A NEGATIVE TEST
Individuals who do not have proof of vaccination have the option of providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within the previous 72 hours.
The SHA will no longer be providing testing for asymptomatic individuals, effective immediately, giving priority to those with symptoms unless identified as a close contact, have had a positive rapid antigen test, identified as part of an outbreak situation or requiring transfer or admission to long-term care, primary care, social services or intensive care units.
A self-administered take-home rapid antigen test will not be accepted as valid proof of negative COVID-19 results.
Individuals requiring a negative test result have several private options that will provide a rapid antigen test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for a fee.
A current list of locations and labs offering testing services is available on the government’s website.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS
Regulations under The Public Employers’ COVID-19 Emergency Regulations comes into force on Oct. 1, where public employers will require their employees to make a choice to show proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or provide evidence of a negative test result at least every seven days.
A negative test result will also be required for partially vaccinated individuals.
The cost for all proof of negative test results for asymptomatic testing will be the responsibility of the individual.
Employers outside of the public service can opt in these regulations should they wish to implement proof of vaccination or negative test with their employees.
Proof of vaccination for all SHA employees will begin with a phased approach on Friday.
“The need for this policy is a result of the significant risks mounting from the highly transmissible COVID-19 variant and a necessary step to protect health care team, patients and residents, and to preserve health care services,” said the release.
Health care workers who do not provide proof of vaccination will be required to participate in a monitored testing program at their cost, unless they have received an approved accommodation based on the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
The province warns some individuals are obtaining affidavits indicating they are exempt from vaccination.
“Vaccinations are not mandatory in Saskatchewan and individuals may refuse to be vaccinated, therefore legal affidavits are not required and will not provide an exemption,” said the province.
The province said vaccinations remain the best defense to prevent serious illness and hospitalization. The SHA and pharmacies will continue to provide vaccination clinics.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6944718.1719585556!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
The U.S. Supreme Court weakens federal regulators, overturning decades-old Chevron decision
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upended a 40-year-old decision that made it easier for the federal government to regulate the environment, public health, workplace safety and consumer protections, delivering a far-reaching and potentially lucrative victory to business interests.
Ontario MPP removed from PC caucus over 'serious lapses in judgment'
Premier Doug Ford has removed a member of his caucus due to what he’s describing as 'serious lapses in judgment.' In a statement released Friday morning, the premier’s office said MPP Goldie Ghamari had been removed from the Progressive Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.'
Biden's Democratic allies admit he had a poor debate but say they're still standing behind him
U.S. President Joe Biden strained to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former U.S. president Donald Trump, as elected members of his party closed ranks around him in an effort to shut down talks of replacing him atop the ticket.
Russia to prepare a 'response' to U.S. drones over Black Sea
Russia's defence minister ordered officials to prepare a 'response' to U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea, the ministry said Friday, in an apparent warning that Moscow may take forceful action to ward off the American reconnaissance aircraft.
Is homemade sunscreen safe to use? Here's why it's 'a horrible idea,' according to experts
If you could make sunscreen with items found in your kitchen pantry, should you do it? Posts from social media influencers and bloggers including recipes to make your own sunscreen have been wildly circulated online, but the dermatologists who spoke to CTVNews.ca call it a 'horrible idea.'
Here is where, how and when to watch the 2024 NHL Entry Draft
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft starts at 7 p.m. EST on Friday night and runs for two days from Sphere in Las Vegas.
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
Fines related to neighbour's 443 noise complaints at centre of B.C. dispute
A B.C. condo owner who was fined tens of thousands of dollars over hundreds of noise complaints made by his downstairs neighbour was partially successful in having the penalties overturned.
Navy facility in Canadian Arctic 'could be finished this season,' a decade overdue
Nearly a decade behind schedule, the Canadian military’s long-promised naval refuelling station in the High Arctic could open as early as this summer, albeit with restrictions on the facility's operations and serious questions about its long-term viability.